Chapter II

Good Riddance

"You'd best take that back, leech."

I bared my teeth at the Snatcher. You'd think being around Greyback for long enough would have beaten some respect into them, but they were as bold as brass.

I sat on the couch/bed, running a hand through my hair. It got caught about halfway through, and I didn't try to comb out the knots. I never brushed my hair- with all the running and catching and fighting Snatchers did, combined with hunting and just the rural lifestyle we lived, it was pointless to comb it through every day when it would only get messy. Usually I just wet it down, taking a shower when I got a chance. Thirst wasn't a major issue at the moment- I'd grabbed an errant drunkard on the way here. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Now, the Snatchers Greyback had dragged along were being noisy, and I was starting to get a headache. Greyback was out doing whatever it was he did and Scabior was reading, as if the two other men with us weren't being total wackjobs. Scabior and I had a strange relationship- I was closer to him than the rest of the men in this gang, and he was the only one who didn't doubt me due to my gender. I liked Scabior, even if he was a little scatterbrained. Sometimes it felt like Scabior felt for me in a different way, though I couldn't be sure.

"What're you reading?" I murmured, leaning over.

"Some young adult romance novel. Found it in the purse of that girl you hunted earlier."

"What's it called?"

He held the cover up so it faced me- it read Hush Hush.

"Didn't know you read young adult romance stories, Scabior."

"I don't, usually. I lean more towards Stephen King."

I laughed, leaning back onto the pillow as the door slammed.

"Where've you been?" I asked Greyback as he sauntered in.

"Why do you care?"

"I guess I don't, really. Just wondering."

"I don't pick fights with drunkasses in bars, like you."

"You're hilarious."

Scabior snorted. I had gotten into fights with less-than-sober men before, usually when they came at me with those lust-clouded eyes and calling me names, like sweetheart and darling...I didn't tolerate that at all, and I made sure people knew it, too. One of the Snatchers looked over at me, confusion and something else twisting his face.

What, could this kid read my mind or something?

I could never be sure of the people Greyback scrounged up.

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Nights like this were uneventful, save for the occasional fight that would occasionally turn violent, and those weren't anything to look forward to. Hell hath no fury like Fenrir Greyback when he's in a temper.

So that was how I spent my night, staring at the ceiling and wishing I could see the stars.

a/n:

filler chapter, i know. next chapter is Akaisha's backstory! 8D

giant thanks to MarkStrongFan for the review and the follow. here's your virtual cookie i promised you. -give-